A large number of the devices were found to produce aerosols with potentially unsafe levels of lead, as well as other metals such as chromium, manganese and nickel.

The researchers did observe, however, that aerosol metal concentrations tended to be higher for e-cigarettes with more frequently changed coils-suggesting that fresher coils give off metals more readily. The researchers say chronic exposure to the metals has been linked to lung, brain and heart damage, as well as cancer.

The heating coils inside e-cigarette devices can leak toxic metals including lead - and the metals are found in the vapour inhaled by users, a new study has found.

Although the Food and Drug Administration has the authority to regulate e-cigarettes, it is considering its options.

"Several shortcomings were found in a similar study conducted by the same institute past year, including overestimating normal levels of exposure, not factoring in exposure to metals from daily activities, small sample size of products tested", Samrat Chowdhery, Director, Assocation of Vapers India (AVI), said in a statement. The difference indicated that the metals nearly certainly had come from the coils, the researchers say.

They found minimal metal in e-liquids within refilling dispensers, but much larger amounts in e-liquids that had been exposed to heating coils within e-cigarette tanks.

Almost half of the e-cigarettes were producing vapor with lead concentrations over the maximums considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The study examined not only the liquid inside e-cigs but also the liquid inside the pen's chamber and the vapor itself.

"These were median levels only", Rule says.

The culprits, the scientists think, are the heating coils that convert the e-liquid into a vapor to be inhaled.

Researchers sampled 56 vape devices from real life vape smokers - not newer models that aren't subject to the same toxins - that proved heating up substances in plastic is actually very bad for you. Unlike the metals, arsenic was present in the liquid, liquid in the dispenser, and aerosol alike.

"We don't know yet whether metals are chemically leaching from the coil or vaporizing when it's heated", Dr. Rule added. Most important, the scientists showed that the metal contamination carried over to the aerosols produced by heating the e-liquids. Rule's team plans further studies.

The full study has been published online in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Researchers aren't sure where it came from or why regulators didn't find it sooner.

Google Assistant to gain 30 languages, multilingual support
More significantly, Google Assistant is going to become multilingual , allowing it to understand commands from multiple languages. Google says carries including Sprint, Koodo, Telus, and Vodafone have already begun work on adding these integrations.

Chiefs sending CB Peters to Rams for draft picks
Peters was one of many NFL players over the past two seasons to routinely not stand during the pre-game national anthem. They visited with Vontae Davis recently and reportedly had interest in David Amerson before he signed with the Chiefs.

McMaster Could Be Out as National Security Adviser
Politico said a "senior administration official" summarized the memo from McMaster to Secretary of Defense James Mattis . A second defense official said McMaster is well aware of those political sensitivities.

Organ donation could become 'opt-out'
Tory MP Peter Heaton-Jones, who represents Keira's family, said the case demonstrated how "more organs means more saved lives". The proposed opt-out organ donation scheme has today passed its second reading in the House of Commons.

More deaths in Syria bombing campaign near Damascus
Swedish Ambassador Olof Skoog told reporters on Friday night: "We have not been able to close the gap completely. Al-Otaiba said the council will meet Saturday at noon EST (1700 GMT) and there will be a vote.

Anbang control seized by Chinese government
British Columbia's biggest retirement home chain came under China's government's control today. A government work group will control Anbang for one year, until February 22, 2019.

Michael Porter Jr. cleared to play, team confirms
One of the nation's top recruits, Porter was injured after just two minutes into his first career game in the season opener. It's our job to make sure he is successful in doing that. "Maybe I should say he's playing, get 'em off balance", he joked.

Klopp tough to please despite Liverpool form
As far as betting is concerned, I don't think we are getting a good enough price to bet on Liverpool to win outright. Sadio Mane , Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah have all been deadly in front of goal recently.

Noren, Simpson lead at Honda; Woods has solid 70
Woods hit his tee shot on the par-3 15th hole into the water, and took a double bogey when his bogey putt slid left of the hole. Thomas had a run of four straight birdies around the turn on a day when nine players broke par from the early part of the draw.